You Be You: A 7-Day Reading Plan with Jamie IveySample

Four Ways to Determine Where God Is Leading You 

As I look back on major decisions in our lives, I do see a few things we did that helped us discern God’s calling. And if you’re someone who’s trying to determine where He’s directing you right now, I hope these four observations from our experience are helpful to you.

1. Be in the Word. 

Much too often, I think, people try to figure out what God has called them to do without spending any time with Him. We expect Him to reveal things to us even though we’re not really investing into the relationship. But the Bible says if we want to know the will of God, we need our minds thinking the way God thinks. And the only way to do that is by keeping our ears open to what He says. By staying rooted in His Word.

2. Listen to the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is our guide. Our helper. Our truth. And we need to be listening for Him—listening in prayer, listening in worship, listening to His Word—listening, listening, listening. Part of what makes discerning God’s calling difficult for us is when we’re flooded by more input and information than we think we can handle. Our thoughts can even compete with one another, leaving us totally confused about which way we should go. 

And yet God has sent Someone to help guide us, show us the truth, and speak to us from His heart . . . if we’ll only listen to Him.

3. Surround yourself with a community of truth-tellers.

Another huge contributor to discerning your calling is the wisdom found in community. I’d even say it’s absolutely vital. Making tough decisions is hard, even when we invite trusted friends into the conversation, but nothing’s as hard as trying to do it purely on our own steam, with no one else listening or weighing in or counseling us with their input.

When I talk about surrounding yourself with community, I’m talking about solid community—people who are really there, in flesh and blood, right beside you in close proximity. People from different age groups, different life stages, people who come at life from different perspectives and can shine a light on those things that tend to hide in your blind spots. 

4. Live your life open handed.

When you live out your gifts, talents, and passions one hundred percent, you allow yourself to go and be exactly where and who God wants you to be. It takes the fear out of wondering if you’re in the right place because you’d go there in a second if that’s where He pointed you.

Listening to God and hearing His call on your life is something that should never grow old to us. As you do it with things that seem small in your life, as well as with things that feel like they’re the biggest decision you’ll ever make, you’ll want to stay tethered to His word, listen to what the Spirit says to you, involve your community, and keep your hands held open at all times.

PRAY 

Heavenly Father, I confess that I have not always followed these four steps to determine how you are leading me. Forgive me! Help me to stay rooted in your Word, help me hear the Holy Spirit, give me a supportive community, and keep my hands always open to receive what you offer. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.